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Accompanied
by experienced local guides and naturalists, the Chambal
Safari helps visitors explore the Chambal Valley at their
own pace; on boats, jeeps, horses, bicycles or on foot.
The calm and gentle Chambal of the winter is a raging beast
in the monsoon months. The monsoon waters recede to expose
the most dazzling white sands. The Chambal Safari Base Camp
is set up every season on one of these beautiful river beaches.
The Chambal Safari motorboats are stationed at the base
camp, which is the starting point for the river safaris,
camel safaris and nature walks.
THE
RIVER SAFARI The calm and gentle waters of the Chambal River
are best explored on boats and the River Safari provides
spectacular opportunities to view the wildlife. The Chambal
Safari boatmen are exceptionally skilled at cutting the
boat engines, and manoeuvring as close to the birds and
animals as possible without disturbing them. Trained naturalists
accompany visitors and provide expert information on the
Chambal wildlife. The River Safari is a most relaxing, enjoyable
and special experience.
NATURE
WALKS The Chambal Safari organises special Nature Walks
along the river banks, around the ravines and in the fields
surrounding the National Chambal Sanctuary. Morning and
afternoon and late evening rambles are also organised in
and around the Chambal Safari Lodge grounds and surrounding
farmland.
VILLAGE
WALKS The Villages around the Chambal Safari Lodge provide
an interesting insight into rural India. One can still find
a potter at his wheel making earthen ware kullars (cups),
a cobbler using the simplest implements to fashion and repair
a most interesting variety of leather items, and shops selling
all manner of goods from jaggery blocks to hand-woven quilts.
The Chambal Safari organises short Village Walks allowing
access to all this and more
BICYCLE
RIDES The countryside around the Lodge is ideal for cycling.
Our local bicycles are straight out of a period film - the
old fashioned variety with upright handle bars and somewhat
uncomfortable seats! The ride and countryside are however
nothing if not interesting and well worth the effort.
THE
CAMEL SAFARI Camels remain an important mode of transport
for man and goods alike. They are also an ideal means for
exploring the ravines of the NCS and searching for the wildlife
that have made these ravines their home. Be transported
back in time as you amble along long forgotten trails and
pathways on these haughty beasts, with their snootily upturned
noses and disdainfully curled lips. One may take a Camel
Safari along the river banks, into the ravines, through
villages and up to Fort Ater.
HORSE
SAFARI The Chambal Valley is famed for the number of horses
that are bred and sold at the numerous animal fairs of the
area, most notably the annual animal fair at Bateshwar.
The local populace takes pride in its equestrian traditions
and are ever eager to display their skill. The Chambal Safari
arranges short 3-4 hour horse riding tours through the Chambal
ravines and countryside.
JEEP
SAFARI The Chambal Safari arranges jeep safaris through
remote hamlets and habitations hidden within the folds of
the Chambal and Yamuna ravines, presenting a fascinating
journey through a world that is strangely as connected as
it appears removed from modern India. The Bhareh Jeep Safari
to the confluence of the Chambal and Yamuna Rivers is 90
kms (2 hours) drive from the Chambal Safari Lodge.
The
spectacular drive through a wild, forbidding and undulating
landscape cuts across the ravines of both rivers going deep
into one of the remotest most untouched corners of the Indian
heartland. The confluence is dominated by the ruins of the
majestic fortress of Bhareh, blasted by The temple platform
rises 200 feet, providing breathtaking views of the confluence
and the surrounding countryside. The Blackbuck Jeep Safari
heads southwest from the Chambal Safari Lodge towards the
Chambal Ravines for excellent sightings of Blackbuck deer
and numerous dry land birds including the Indian Courser.
BATESHWAR
TEMPLES The ancient temple complex at Bateshwar on the river
Yamuna, 10 km from the Chambal Safari Lodge, consists of
more than a hundred temples dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.
Referred to as Surajpur in ancient texts, Bateshwar derives
its current name from its reigning deity Lord Bateshwar
Mahadev (another name for Shiva). The ravines surrounding
the temples and river are home to a number of Naga sadhus
(snake worshiping ascetics) who have carved out little caves
and temples within the mud walls. In early November, the
open areas around the temple complex play host to an annual
animal fair, the origins of which stretch into antiquity.
The fair coincides with the most auspicious period for praying
at Bateshwar and is an important fixture for saints, sadhus,
tradesmen and villagers. Witness a colourful pageant of
rural India that is as unchanging as it is timeless. (Find
out more about Bateshwar)
VISIT
TO FORT ATER Fort Ater is located on the periphery of the
National Chambal Sanctuary, 2 km from the Chambal Safari
base camp. Once a valued stronghold and at the forefront
of numerous battles between the Rajputs, the Mughals and
the Marathas, the crumbling ruins bring alive the romantic
glory of a bygone age. The ramparts of the fort afford some
breathtaking views of the Chambal valley. One may visit
this magnificent ruin riding a Camel or on foot.
VISIT
TO SARUS CRANE CONSERVATION AREA The Sarus Crane Conservation
Reserve starts around 30 kms from the Chambal Safari Lodge,
extending to about 100 kms. It is a widespread wetland area,
interspersed by cultivated fields, where large numbers of
the Sarusus Cranes breed. Although not a protected area,
since 1999 the Supreme Court of India, recognising its importance
as a habitat has designated the area a reserve with restrictions
on development.
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